Work unit



Nov. 10, 1953 HY. ELLIS 'ETAL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9,1948 INVENTORS, ALBERT K. WILSON 7 HOWARD ELLIS ATTORAZEY Npv. 10, 1953H. ELLIS ETAL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 9. 1948 vINVENTORS, ALBERT K. WILSON 0W1; ELLm ATTORNEY WORK UNIT 10 sheets-sheet3 Filed April 9, 1948 INVENTORS. ALBERT K. WILSON a HOWARD ELLISATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ET AL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledApril 9, 1948 JNVENTORS. ALBERT K. WILSON g9 Hon M4120 ELLIS AT TOR/VE'Ylllll L Nov. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ETAL 2,658,810

WORK UNIT Filed April 9, 1948 1C Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS, ALBERT K.WILYSON HOWARD ELLIS 'ATToRAwY Nov. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ET AL WORK UNIT 10Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 9, 1948 -ll lllhllliwllllPlllliu. L o 9 1 d nc o 1 llLlL INVENTORS, ALBERT If. wlllsa/v HOWARD ELLIS ATTORNEY Nov.10, 1953 H. ELLIS ET AL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed April 9, 1948mmvroza ALBERT K. WILSON HOWARD mus AJ'TOR1VEY Nov. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ETAL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 9, 1948 JNVEN TORS, ALBERT K.WILSON HOWARD ELLIS w m m g p E 3 n 7 w Y l L .FVWU L 3/ F A, x v m m mATTORNEY Nov. 10, 1953 H. ELLIS ET AL WORK UNIT 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 FiledApril 9, 1948 INVENTORS,

Ar M mu m wm m M (.A R Mm Mm w Patented Nov. 10, 1953 worm UNIT HowardEllis, Greenville, and Albert K. Wilson, Wilmington, Del., assignors toE. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation ofDelaware Application April 9, 1948, Serial No. 19,914

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a method for the more effective utilization ofbuilding space and is intended for use in offices, warehouses,laboratories and like buildings. A feature of this invention is theprovision of a self contained work unit which, at the same time, definesthe limits of the work area desired.

The design of buildings and the allocation of the space therein for themost efficient utilization has not hitherto been correlated with thefurniture arrangement and needs of the prospective users. The result hasbeen an enormous wastage of costly building space, the provision of workspace not suited in area or arrangement for efiicient accomplishment ofthe worker's duties and a very great waste of time in the maintenance ofliaison between workers whose duties are ,interrelated, and in theservicing of the over extended areas in which business is normallyconducted. Where workers require some measure of privacy to effectivelycarry out their duties it has been the practice to subdivide the totalinside building area into an appropriate number of independent Workrooms, using relatively thick, permanent walls to separate a specificwork area from adjoining work areas. This has resulted in inordinateexpense in building construction, lack of flexibility in work spacearrangement and planning, and the blocking of natural light andventilation.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a flexible method forthe utilization of office building space at maximum worker efficiency,which method is correlated with standard building practices to such anextent that great construction savings may be made.

Another object of this invention is to permit an increase in the numberof workers per unit of floor space, thereby greatly reducing thebuilding size necessary to accommodate a given number of workers, whileat the same time locating individual workers conveniently adjacent totheir fellow workers.

Another object of this invention is the orientation of workers so thateach faces away from his nearest neighbors, whereby the individual isprotected from distractions which interfere with his work and areotherwise annoying.

A further object of this invention is the arrangement conveniently nearat hand of all work facilities which the worker normally requires,whereby lost motion and worker fatigue are greatly reduced and thesequence of his opera tions made more eflicient.

A still further object is the provision of a 2 standard furniture unitincorporating interchangeable associated facilities which permits greatflexibility in the assignment of work space to persons whose work isclosely associated with the work of other persons.

Other objects will be apparent from the description of this inventionwhich is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of standard furnitureunit constructed in accordance with this invention showing its relationto an adjoining partition.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the desk counter element proper showing bybroken line representa-- tion the disposition of the upright memberswhich support it and the location of the partition panels.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the underframe structure which supports thedesk drawers, showing the relative locations of the brackets that engagewith the leg members which support the desk counter from underneath.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the desk counter assembly with one ofits drawers in place.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 1'l of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 4 exceptwith the desk counter element shown in assembled relationship.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a rear elevation view of the desk counter assembly shown infront elevation in Figure 5.

Figure 11 is a side elevation of a filing cabinet auxiliary unit whichmay be used with the deskcounter of this invention, showing by brokenline representation the relative disposition of its sup porting uprightmembers and pedestal support member.

Figure 12 is a front elevation of the net auxiliary of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along line I3--I3 of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a top plan view of one of the upright supports showing themethod of engaging the mounting strip of Figure 15 with it.

Figure 15 is a front elevation of a mounting strip piece which isadapted to support open or enclosed shelves from the upright memberswhich are positioned at the rear of the desk counter.

filing cabi- Figurelfi is a side elevation of a leg member adapted tosupport the desk counter assembly from the underside, the lower portionbeing partially cut away to more clearly show the adjustable footconstruction.

Figure 17 is a front elevation view of aclothes iocker-filin'g-cabine'tauxiliary unit which may be used with the desk counter of thisinvention, showing by broken line representation the relativedisposition of its supporting upright members and pedestal supportmember.

Figure 18 is a sectional view taken along line l8-l8 of Figure 1'7, withthe drawers removed and the uprights and front pedestal :support beingshown in broken line "representation.

Figure 19 is a partial side elevation view of one of the outer uprightmembers which supports the desk counter and. its auxiliaries and alsothe separating partition panels, showing the mommon connecting elementsfin assembled relationship thereWith.

Figure 20 is a rearelevation view of the filing cabinet auxilia'ry unitshown in front elevation in Figure 12, illustrating by broken linerepresentation the relative disposition :of its supporting "uprightmembers and -foot pedestal.

Figure '21 is 'a -side elevation :of the clothes locker-filing cabinetauxiliary unit shown in front elevation in :Figure 17, the-disposition-of its supporting uprights and foot pedestal being shown bybroken line representation.

Figure 22 is a partial section-plan view taken along 'line =.22-22=ofFigure 21.

Figure '23 is a plan view of a foot pedestal.

figure 24 is an end'el'evation 'view of a foot pedestal.

Figure 25 is a side elevation view of a foot pedestal shown in partial:section.

Figure 26 is a detail sectional view showing the assembly ofan upperpartition panel, a'desk counter "back stop panel, :and a lower partitionpanel with one of the outer upright supporting members, the adjacentportions of the desk counter itself being shown 'by broken linerepresentation.

Figure '27 'is a detail side elevation view showing the assembly of thelower separating partition panel with one of the outer uprightsupportingm'embers.

Figure 28 is a detail sectional view'of the lower end-of one of theupright supporting members, showing the adjustable 'foot element forsecuring level placemen'tof these members.

Figure 129 :is :a :perspective'view of the upright members in assembledrelationship with the upper partition panels, back stop strips. andlower JPHItitiOH panels, shown without the desk counter element forpurposes of clarity.

Figure 30 is a section taken along line '38-'30 oL-FlgureiZB.

.Fi'gure 31 isa partially broken side elevation detailed view looking in:the *directionof the arrows..-3il'3.l of :Figure -30 showing the methodof attachment of the back stop strips to one ofthe inner uprightmembers.

Figure 32 is a perspective view of :one of the clips used toassemblethe'center :back stop strip with one of the inner upright "members.

Figure 33 is a broken perspective view :of a backing strip 'used toreinforce the front panel of the center back --stpstrip'in the course ofassembly.

Figure 34 is .a diagrammatic representation showingone-method ofutilizing to the maximum advantage the area lying withinthe buildingrbaydefined by the four building columns shown, the area being gridded bythe broken modular lines to illustrate the principles upon which themost effective utilization of this invention is based.

Figures 35, 36, and 37 are diagrammatic representations of still otherways for the efiective utilization of floor space .according tothisinvention.

The definition of work space contemplated by this invention preferablyis applied to buildings which are not partitioned with permanent innerwalls or partitions. However, the invention is equally applicable tobuildings which are permanently partitioned into relatively large workrooms, :and is also applicable to buildings which are unusual in planarrangement, such as triangular buildings and the like.

For purposes of illustration the invention will hereinafter he describedas utilized with a building devoid of any permanent building partitionswhatever. In this case a single building floor will .-be entirelyexposed to view'and readily accessible to any chosen areferencepoint,except for the vertical supporting columns which "extend from the hearto the ceiling at regular intervals. The vertical columns define thebuilding bays, the bay areas between adjacent columns :generally beingsixteen, eighteen, or twenty 'feet on a side, depending upon the columnspacing chosen by the building-architect.

Assuming a column spacing of, say, sixteen feet from center to center, atypical building bay area might then be gridded into equal subdivisionsof any convenient linearmagnitude, such a lengthunit being commonlyreferred to as a module or common unit of measurement. For a sixteenfoot building bay it is convenient "to utilize .a sixteen inch module.The module is, ineffect, the correlation factor which relates thebuilding construction with the furniture design and arrangement, and themodule should be chosen so that the greatest possible number ofbuilding, furniture andarrangement dimensions will be unit multiplesthereof.

Referring to Figure 34 the foregoing principles are "illustratedschematically. The building bay represented therein is defined by thefour columns I, and the area included in the bay is subdivided into onehundred and forty-four equal sixteen inch grids of common sixteen inchmodule. The furniture arrangement within the bay area is represented bythe four L-shaped work units 2 which occupy an effective area equivalentto sixteen grid spaces each. The remaining eighty grid :spaces areavailable for the seating of the worker 'personneltand for aisle spacein any of thefour cardinal directions. According to the orderlyarrangement illustrated herein .it .is practicable 'to house each one offour workers in a building space of only about forty-five square feetper person, and at the same time provide all necessary work "facilitiesand preserve the individuals comfort. The space economy realized :by'thisinventiont is accentuated by comparison of the described spaceallotment with that Of aro'om defined by'permanentpartitions whichencompass an equivalent area of forty-five square feet. Such a room,less than seven feet square, would be so cramped, re stricted, andunhealthful as to be useless over any but relatively brief work periods.

Proceeding now to the description of the novel work unit 2 which is apart of this invention,one such unit is shown in perspective inFigure 1. The work unit comprises an L-shaped desk which also supportpartition panels. The work unit is provided with suitable file cabinetauxiliaries, counter drawers, letter trays, book shelves, and a clotheslocker. It can likewise be provided with recessed lighting fixtures,compact telephone, buzzer signal and other communications facilities,and a detachable out-of-the-way waste basket if desired. Any suitableoffice chair may be used in conjunction with the unit. The work unitshown incorporates all facilities which are necessary to the performanceof the office workers tasks, in a compact arrangement which enables himto utilize them with a minimum of effort and physical movement, and atthe same time provides a large work table area. The worker is protectedfrom distractions by orientation in a direction away from his fellowworkers in the same bay and by the separating partition in theforefront. A further feature of the work unit is that all work facilityspace is concentrated alongthe walls or partitions and in the corners ofthe over-all work area in which it is located, that is, in space whichis ordinarily largely wasted in buildings where work areas are definedby permanent walls.

The work unit is further characterized by a high degree ofinterchangeability of component parts, which makes it possible to adjustwork space and arrangement to fit the workers individual needs, all asis hereinafter described.

Referring to Figure 2, the four rear upright supports 3 are shown inplan relation to-the counter 4. This view does not include any filing orclothes-locker auxiliary units, for the counter may be used singly,without the added facilities which make for a complete,'self-containedwork unit, if such use is desired.

The counter 4 is a metal plate which may be fabricated as a single pieceor which may be made up from several separate plates of suitable shapeas illustrated which are welded to the longitudinal support elements 5.The front and back edges of the counter are bent downward to pre sent anedge of substantial thickness as shown in Figure 3. The counter iscovered with a length ofsuitable desk covering material 1 (Figs. 6, '7and 8) such as linoleum or the like which is widely sold for thesepurposes, the covering being preferably cemented securely to the metalplate member described.

The longitudinal supports 5 are channel shapes which are securely weldedto the underside of counter top plate 4 and are cut through at points ofintersection so that their lower surfaces all H lie in a commonhorizontal plane. Lateral connecting members 6 are metal strips ofrelatively small thickness which are welded to the undersides of thethree pieces of metal which'make up the L-sh-aped counter top plate 4and-thus join them together as a single unit. As shown in Figure 2lateral connecting members 6 are interrupted at the points ofintersection with longitudinal supports 5. When the counter is assembledto the underframe the forward support members 5 define the front of thework unit. Face plates 52 end welded to forward members 5, as indicatedin Figure 5, close off the spaces between adjacent compartments of thecounter.

The counter top plate 4 is secured by welding it to the underframestructure shown in plan in Figure 4 and in section in Figure 9. Theunderframe structure provides support for the removable desk drawers andalso carries the leg bracket-s 8 and 9 which are adapted to receive the'counterlegs 5l"(Fig. 16) which may be used to support the counter'fromthe underside. With this construction it is possible to dispense withthe rear upright supports entirely if the counter is not used withseparating partitions. If the counter is used with the partitions thecounter legs will provide additional forward support for structuralstability, however, such additional stability will usually be providedby auxiliaryfurniture units which are joined to the ends of the counterin a manner to be described, in which case the counter legs may bedispensed with.

The underframe consists of a continuous back plate I 0, formed bywelding separate metal plates together at the points II. The ends of theunderframe are closed off by the two end plates [4 which are welded tothe back plate at the points H. The lower edges of plates in and H arebent inwardly as shown in Figures 6, '7, 8 and 9 and all bracing membersintersecting these plates are cut through as shown at [3, Figure 9, toform a continuous, open wire receiving channel [2 for telephone, buzzerand other communications system electrical conductors. It will be notedthat the wire-way so formed extends completely around the back side andboth ends of the counter. I

The four cross struts I 5 are single pieces of metal formed with topflanges 53. Cross struts i 5 are securely welded to the back plate I I]at the points of intersection therewith and. are notched at the pointswhere the longitudinal supports 5 traverse them. The counter top plate 4and the underframe are assembled and are strut is involved. In thisconnection, the thickness of the lateral connecting members 6 is sosmall that the upper flanges of the end cross struts may be readily heldagainst the underside of the counter plate by suitable clamps during thewelding process, notwithstanding the fact that members 6 are interposedbetween the flanges of the inner cross struts l5 andthe counter plateonly, and not between the end cross struts I 5 and the counter plate.

The forward edges of the two end-most cross struts I5 and the inneredges of the two endmost face plates 52 are formed with recessed flanges54 which are adapted to receive removable front plates l6, securedthereto by threaded cap screws 55 which engage with tapped screw holesin the flanges. If it is desired to install special communicationsequipment, such as a telephone conversation recorder, an intra oflicebuzzer button panel, or the like, front plates ['5 may be removed andthe space thus provided may 'be utlized for securing and housing thesedevices in a compact arrangement adjacent to the wire-way hereinbeforedescribed. I

The two inner cross struts i 5 are welded at their forward ends todiagonal struts [9 which define the side walls of a storage pigeon holelocated in the region of the angle of the L- sha-ped counter.

Cross struts l5 support conventional counter drawer receiving channelsl8 which are securely welded to them. It will be understood that thecounter drawers are disengageable from chan- "Diagonal .struts :l'9 are.single pieces :of :metal formed :with top and bottompfianges .56 and:51, respectively. Asiindicated in Figure-9., :struts 1.9 are terminatedair-a .lower-leyekthanfstruts 1,5, so that the topkfianges :55 arecontiguous to the lower. surfacesof. longitudinal-supportsli :to' whichthey are joined by welding. The bottom .fianges dlaprouid'e support forthe bottom plate 122 of the :storage pigconhole, to which they may ibeconveniently joined by spot welding.

The underframe structure is rcompleted by three leg bracket :retainingibraces, the .two end braces 20 being similarly disposed while thecentral brace 12!, which deduce the rear'wall of the storage pigeon:hole, is :positionedtparallel .to the intermediate portion ofbackaplate l0, Braces 20 and 521 are single pieces of metal with topedges bent over to form flanges 25B .and 58,.respectively. 'Bracketsfiand a9, which'are-adapted to retain the counter legs 51,.are securely'welded to braces 28 and :21, respectively, immediately below the:topflanges. ;Since :central brace 12;! is at a somewhat lower :level'thanitheend braces 1211, due ito the fact that flange '15s is "weldedto the underside of the longitudinal supports :5, this flange is cut:away in the region immediately above 'bracket H to permit free=passagezof the'central counter leg through it to the level of :theunderside or counter plate "4, where .itsiupperend will lie inapproximately the same plane .as the upper ends of the two end legs. Thethin metal flanges 58, interposed between the upper :ends :01": the endlegs and the counter plate, provide some additional strength-at thesepoints.

Referring-nowto FiguresZQLLBO, 31, 32 and33, the detailed constructionof the partition-upright assembly will be described.

The assembly shown in Figure 29 consists of the four rear uprightmembers "the :two upper translucent partition panels 111,the'central'metal partition panel, the two 'side -back stop panels T2,the :central back stop panel'i'm, :the two lower metal side partitionpanels 14, and the central lower metal partition-panel '15, all of theseelements being joined to the supporting uprights :3

bycap screws whichengage with tappedholes in these members.

As shown in Figure 14- upright members 3 are fabricated from squarecross section metal tubing, the full size illustrated being providedwith tworows of tapped screw holes n disposed equidistantly alongthe'quarter lines'of eachside surface-as indicated by the broken lines"a (see Fig. 26-). This invention contemplatesthe use ofseveral sizes ofuprightsthe half size uprightbeing aclosedtube having=the samedisposition of holes but being only half as thick, whereupon it willhave only one row of holes on-itsshort-side. Similarly, the outersurfaces of a-quarter-size upright will be defined by the broken linesb--'b, and it will therefore only have a single row of 'tapped holes oneach side surface. All other construction details of'the uprights arethesame, regardless o'f'the particular size under consideration.

The upper 'ends of the upright members may be closed on" by flatmetal-caps H securely welded thereto. The lower ends are closed ed withcap pieces 45 (Fig. 28) which recess into the upright members and arejoined to them by welding. Cap pieces are fitted with weldednutportions46 which are adapted to receive height adjusting ,foot screws '44. The.entire bottom region is closed off by a shortguard piece 1-! which isfrictionally engaged .with upright '3 and 'isjtreelyslidable thereon topermit its displacement to any 8 leyelreguired .bythe adjustmentiofrinolt screw .44. The back stop panels 212 1(-Figs. 19, 26., .30 and31 are madeiup .from single sheets :of metal'bent forwardly at the topand bottomzto iorm ahollow box-like enclosure. The forward ends are benttoward each other and are then drawn slightly inwards :to :form ashallow recess 'for'the attachment of .closure'platesalw. The ends ofpanels .12 are closed off by channels :82 securely welded to the edgesof the sheet. Channels .82 are drilled to permit the passage of screws.15, joiningpanels 12 with uprights 3. A stifiening strip 83, :runningthe full length of panel -12, is welded .to channels 82 and servesas=abacking support :for the centralportioncf :closure plate 80.

The central back stop panel I3 is similar in construction to panels '12,except that, in this case, :the ioinder with uprights-3. is at-an acuteangle, necessitating cutting 'the endszof thesheet at a suitable angleso that the top and bottom edges will lie adjacent to the inside surfaceof the upright 3. Drilled metal-clips 84, 'weldedrto the back side-ofpanel 11.3, and cap screws Mi secure the panel to the uprights.Stiffeningstrip 8.5,extending from the-center clip atone end of thepanel to the center 011101315 the other, provides backing support :forzthe central portion of closure plate :86 whichis secured to tappedscrew-holesin clips :84 by cap screws 9.8.

The top and bottom edges of :all back stop panels are -:drilled withtapped .screw holes 93 to permit the connection of th upper and lowerpartition panels with them.

Metal partition panels 14 and 1.5 are unitary plates withthe edgesturned .inwardlyto provide flanges for screw connection to uprights :3.As shown in :Figure 2-7 the loweredges-of these plates are bentbackwardly so as to contact with the,

vertical expanse ithereof, thereby providing a sloping surface uponwhich dust will not readily collect.

In erecting the assembly shown in Figure :29, alLoperationsare performedfrom the-front side. The -first elements assembled to the uprights arethe back stop panels "12 and '13. In this operation the closure plates.80 and '86 are removed and the back stop panels are "secured along-thefirst :row of screwv holes inthe uprights by the cap screws 16. Theclosure 'plates are thenreplaced by securing their top screws -68 to theback stop panels. Panels "14 and =15 may next be assembled, using screws16 to join them "to the uprights and screws 81 to join the upper edges.to the backstop panels. 'The'upper-partition panels -10 and '12! arethen :assembled as a finalstep.

Panel II is 'a unitary metal plate with the side andbottom edges turnedinwardly as has been described for panels and -15. The bottom and sideflanges -so created afford connection surfaces with the top of thecentral back stop panel 113 by means of :cap screws identical withscrewstl, and withthe uprights .3 by-screws 16.

The translucentpartition panels 10, which may be fabricated from glassor a;synthetic resinous material .having similar light transmittingproperties, are joined to the-uprights .3 and back stoppanels 12 bymoulding strips .48 (Figs. .19, 26 and .31), Moulding strips 48 are,S-shaped metal lengths, the outside channel of which may be cushionedwith a strip of elastic material .18 wherein contact with ,panels [0.Separate moulding strips, beveled at adjacent ends, are fitted to eachsideand the bottom edges of the panels. The panels are convenientlyjoined to the unrights and the back stop panels by. first pressing allthree strips into proper position along the three edges and thendisposing the panel at an oblique angle across the top of the back stoppanel. In this position a single screw 88 may be loosely engaged withthe proper threaded hole in the top of panel 12, whereupon the partitionmay be rotated into its proper position by revolving it about the Singlescrew as a pivot. The elastic strips 78 are sufficiently flexible topermit bending the edge mouldings slightly to avoid any bindinginterference with the uprights during this operation. When the panels Hihave been rotated into position the edge moulding strips are secured tothe uprights by screws 16 and the remaining screws 88 are inserted tocomplete the connection with the panels 12.

The assembly of the counter-underframe to the partitions and uprights isfacilitated by the use of the three counter legs shown in Figure 16. Thecounter legs are constructed of square cross section metal tubing of thesame dimensions as the full size upright members 3. The counter legsare, of course, much shorter, a length of about thirty inches beingsufficient. The adjustable foot screws 83 of the legs are made ofgreater length than the foot screws 34 of the uprights to permit thecomplete removal of the uprights 5! after the assemblingoperation ifthey are to be used solely. as erecting aids.

With the counter-underframe supported on the three legs 5|, the assemblyis shifted to its proper position adjacent to the closure plates 83 and86 of the assembled partition elements and uprights and the commonassembling screws 89 are inserted from the front side through the screwholes 23 in back plate Ill and engaged with the complementary tappedholes in the elements of the back stop panels.

While the assembled work unit comprising the counter-underframe with thecounter legs and partition-uprights described may be used alone, thecomplete self contained embodiment of this invention incorporatesadditional facilities which will now be described.

One such adjunct is the filing cabinet auxiliary 24 shown in Figures 11,12, 13 and 20. The body of the filing cabinet may be of conventionalform with removable drawers supported upon suitable ways 21 secured tothe inside walls. The side walls of the cabinet are provided with aseries of screw-receiving tapped holes 25 mating with holes 23 in theend plates M of the counter underframe, while the rear wall is providedwith through holes 23 mating with tappedholes 4', of uprights 3. Thefiling cabinet is integrally joined to the counter and to the rearuprights by cap screws inserted from the front side. The area to therear of the filing cabinet is closed oif by providing upper and lowerpartition and back stop panels identical with those which have beendescribed except that they are of correspondingly reduced length.Additional forward support is supplied to the cabinet by a removablefoot pedestal 28 such as that shown in Figures 23, 24 and 25.

The foot pedestal consists of a short length of square cross sectiontubing 4! of the same size used for the fabrication of the full sizeuprights 3. The upper end of 4| is adapted to engage with a suitablebracket 9 secured to the underside of cabinet 24. Short angle ironsupport pieces 42 are welded to opposite sides of 4| and are drilled atpoints 94 to receive cap screws for engagement in mating tapped screwholes in 0 bracket49. The lower end of the foot pedestal is fitted witha height adjusting foot screw 44 and a guard piece 11 of identicaldesign as hereinbefore described for the uprights 3.

If it is desired to utilize the filing cabinet auxiliary withoutrearuprights or partitions, it will be understood that this may beaccomplished by providing two additionalrbrackets 49 disposed near therear edge of the cabinet whereupon the cabinet may be independentlysupported upon three foot pedestal members 28.

A second useful auxiliary unit is the clothes locker-drawer cabinet 29shown in Figures 17, 18, 21, and 22. This unitis adapted for assembly toeither end .of the desk counter by cap screw connection through tappedscrew holes 30, matching with screw holes 23 in end plates [4, in thesame manner as described for the filing cabinet auxiliary. The clotheslocker-drawer cabinet auxiliary 29 is made up of two compartments, theclothes locker 32 and the drawer cabinet 33, joined together by matchingscrew fittings 34 located along their adjacent sides. The clothes lockerportion is similar to the common clothes locker used in work shops andgymnasiums exceptthat the door is made shorter in length to permitclearance with the drawer cabinet, and the bottom is open to facilitaterecovery of any small articles which the user may inadvertently dropfrom the shelf 35. The rear corners of the clothes'locker are recessedas shown at 40 to permit neat cap screw assembly with uprights 3. Theclothes locker may be fitted with clothes hooks, mirrors,.overshoeholding brackets or other convenient fixtures notshown.

The drawer cabinet component 33 is of modified conventional three drawerdesign, incorporating the three drawer hanger members 36, which supportthe several drawers on draw out and return, and which permit completeremoval of the drawers in the event the user is moved to a new location.The top of the drawer cabinet is modified to receive the two compartmentletter tray 37, which is permanently welded to the cabinet frame.Thebottom of the cabinet is fitted with a. foot pedestal receivingbracket 43 securely welded to the'drawer cabinet bottom plate 39 alongits longitudinal center line for the reception of a foot pedestal member23 of identical design with that hereinbefore described for the filingcabinet auxiliary 24.

The clothes locker-drawer cabinet may be used in conjunction with tworear uprights 3, as inclicated in Figure 22, in which case no partitionpanels are required to close off the area between the uprights, sinceauxiliary 29 extends from the bottom level to the top level of adjacentpartition panels. If desired, auxiliary 29 may be independentlysupported on three foot pedestal supports 28 as in the case of filingcabinet 24, in which case the rear uprights may be dispensed with.

Uprights 3 may be conveniently employed to support a series ofsuperimposed book shelves 35 as illustrated in Figure 1 by the use ofmounting strips of the design shown in Figures 14 and 15. Mountingstrips'90 comprise'single strips of metal bent into a channel shape andperforated along one side with an offset row of elongated holes 9!adapted to be engaged with mating projections on the adjacent edges ofthe book shelves. Cap screws 16 traversing screw holes 92 secure themounting strips to the uprights.

The work unit may also be provided with a eyesesro shelf 96 supported onbrackets"?! connected by screws or otherwise to the back stop panels atappropriate points.

As illustrated in Figure l the partitioning to the rear of the work unitmay be extended by connecting additional partitioning sections to theendmost uprights. Such additional sections incorporate top and bottompartition panels and intermediate backstop panels similar to those whichhave been described for use in connection with the work units andprovide supports for the connection of additional work units if this isdesired.

If conditionsof use donot require partitioning to the front ofthe'workunits, the L-shaped desk counter may be advantageously utilized as anopen desk by reversing the position of the back stop members so that theend which is shown extended above the level of the counter in Figure26isdisposed below the counter and the'lower end is disposed on a; levelwith the counter top. It will be understood that with this orientationthe top screw 89" will engage with what was before the bottommost screwhole of the backstop while the lower screw 89 will engage with theintermediate screw hole. In this use the lower partition panels '54 andT5 are either not employed or corresponding panels of shorter'lengthmust be substituted. When used as an open desk the desk counter may besupported by counter legs 5! or uprights similar in construction to theuprights 3 may be used, except that the length is made such'that thesemembers terminate flush with the top of the back stop members.

Referring to Figures 35, 36 and 37, some of the preferred methods ofutilization of the work units of this invention will now be described-In these views the locations of the front or Working sides of the unitsare indicated by the orientation of the office chairs 6| with respectthereto, the position of auxiliary filing cabinets being also shown. Theuse of common upright members for the support of adjacent work units ispreferred wherever possible as such use contributes to economy and thesaving of floor space and, in addition, permits the neat flusharrangement of neighboring units.

In Figure 35 two work units are shown in opposed relationship, thecommon quarter size uprights recessing into the rear corners of theclothes locker-drawer cabinet auxiliary units being indicated at 62. Allother upright members may be full size as shown.

In Figure 36 four work units are shown in compact cluster arrangementabout a single building column i. In this combination twelve full sizeuprights indicated at63 maybe used to advantage with single partitionelements 6'6 interposed between adjacent work units, it being understoodthat in this case all units are provided with back stop members whichclose off the space between adjacent work units.

The alternated arrangement of Figure 3'7 employs a quarter size uprightat $4 and a half size upright at 65. All other upright members may befull size as shown. Single partition elements indicated at 66 are againemployed wherever possible.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that we have providedboth a novel work unit and a flexible method of utilizing building spaceto the utmost advantage, and we intend to be limited in our inventiononly tothe eX- tent indicated in the following patent claims.

We claim:

1. In an article of oflice furniture, a. spacesaving unit comprising aL-shaped, metal desk top composed of a plurality of component partsjoined together to form a unitary structure having rear edges at rightangles, and having front and back edges bent. downwardly to present anedge of substantial thickness, an underframe structure comprisingcross-struts and auxiliary elements including longitudinal channelmembers and lateral connecting members welded to the underside and: insupporting position for said desk top, a plurality of rear uprights insupporting position adjacent to said rear edges, back plates adjacent tosaid rear edges and carried' by said. uprights, and means securing. therear edges to said back. plates.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which said cross-struts comprise singlepieces ofmetal, end welded to said back plate at their points ofintersection therewith, and supporting flanges for said counter carriedby said cross-struts.

3. The invention of claim 1 including longitudinal supports. and lateralconnecting members interposed in supporting position between saidcounter and underframe, in which saidlateral connecting members compriserelatively thin metal strips secured to the underside of said counter insupporting position and are interrupted at their points of intersectionby said longitudinal supports.

4. The invention of. claim 1 in which said underframe structurecomprises auxiliary furniture units joined to the underside of saidcounter in spaced relation to provide leg room for the operator andstability for said counter.

5. The invention of claim 1 in which said underframe comprisescompartments and counter legs in spaced relation and insupportingposition for said counter from its underside.

6. In an article of office furniture, a spacesaving unit comprising-ametal, L-shaped desk top having leg room beneath said top andlongitudinal rear edges at right angles, -formed from a plurality ofcomponent parts including longitudinal supports and lateral connectingmembers welded to the underside of said desk top, an underframestructure in supporting position for said desk top comprisingcross-struts and back plates also welded to the underside of said desktop, a plurality of rear uprights adjacent said rear edges, and insupporting position for said back plates, and a plurality of panelssupported by saiduprights substantially in the same plane as thesupported back plates.

'7. An article of ofiice furniture manufactured in sub-assemblycomponents including a L- shaped, metallic desk top comprising amultiplicity of component parts joined together to form a unitarystructure having neighboring work areas with rear edges arranged atright angles longitudinally, longitudinal and lateral connecting memberswelded to the underside of said desk top for securing the componentparts together, an underframe structure of crossstruts and auxiliaryelements for supporting said desk top, back plates extending along theline of said rear edges and welded in supporting position to the ends ofsaid cross-struts, rear upright members supporting said back plates, anda plurality of. panels supported by said uprights substantially in thesame plane as said back plates.

8. The invention of claim 7 including longitudinal supports and lateralconnecting members interposed in supporting position between saidcounter and underframe.

9. An article of ofilce furniture manufactured in sub-assemblycomponents, including a L-shaped, metallic desk top comprising amultiplicity of component parts joined together to form neighboring workareas, a multiplicity of prefabricated separate plates welded to theunderside of said desk top for securing the component parts into aunitary structure having rear edges at right angles longitudinally, aplurality of uprights in supporting position adjacent said rear edges,an underframe structure supporting said desk top and providing leg roomfor the neighboring work areas, comprising cross-struts and auxiliarysupporting elements, said underframe also including a plurality of backplates supported by said uprights and Welded to the rear ends of saidcross-struts.

10. In an arrangement and construction of an article of officefurniture, a L-shaped desk top comprising a multiplicity of componentparts joined together into a unitary structure and adapted to formneighboring work areas having leg room beneath and horizontallypositioned rear edges, a plurality of rear uprights adjacent said rearedges but outside the vertical plane thereof, an underframe structure insupporting position for said desk top but providing leg room for theworker comprising back plates supported by said uprights andcross-struts having their rear ends welded thereto and secured insupporting position for and beneath said desk top, partition panels alsosupported by said uprights in the same vertical plane as the backplates, drawer-receiving channels supported by said cross-struts,forwardly positioned legs for supporting the under structure and deskdrawers therefor, and brackets for positioning said legs.

11. The invention of claim 10 in which the diagonal struts comprisesingle pieces of metal iormed with top and bottom supporting flanges.

12. The invention of claim 10 in which longitudinal supports and lateralconnecting members are interposed between said cross-struts and countertop and are affixed thereto.

13. The invention of claim 10 in which diagonal struts are connected tothe forward end of the inner cross-struts to form the side walls of anauxiliary storage space in the region of the angle of said L-shapedcounter, counter leg brackets having legs in supporting position nearthe forward position of said counter, and face plates affixed to theforward ends of said crossstruts in the regions adjacent to said drawerspace and auxiliary storage space.

HOWARD ELLIS. ALBERT K. WILSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 419,295 Sutton Jan. 14, 1890 797,826 Sherman Aug. 22, 1905959,230 Kurz May 24, 1910 1,357,062 Knight Oct. 26, 1920 1,392,418 HillOct. 4, 1921 1,420,942 Peyton June 27, 1922 1,441,331 Clark Jan. 9, 19231,455,569 Caminoni May 15, 1923 1,647,889 Saunders Nov. 1, 19271,648,891 Beersman Nov. 15, 1927 1,649,805 Brainard Nov. 22, 19271,729,268 Henderson l Sept. 24, 1929 1,764,229 Smith June 17, 19301,914,646 Rand June 20, 1933 1,915,046 Bales June 20, 1933 2, 10,721Jones Aug. 6, 1940 2,439,027 Stonitz Apr. 6, 1948 OTHER REFERENCES TheEvolving House-Bemis, vol. III, page 27 pyright 1936,

